Angel Fish or Discus

[Justikanz]

Hi hi...

I am going to ask for your opinions on which to use in a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft planted tank. Plants would be mainly crypts, Cyperus helferi and Taiwan moss... Tankmates would most probably be limted by these cichlids. But definitely will have Congo Tetras, Ember Tetras, Tiger Barbs, Female Fighting Fish, Harlequins and Dwarf Bristlenose...

If you prefer Angels, which would be good? What are your views on keeping Altums?

If Discus, would only Heckels be good for planted tanks?

Let me know...

As both Discus and Altum Angels are not cheap, I just want to ask around more...

Thanks!

[ranmasatome]

Bro..i think you need to lower the number of species in your tank.. its becoming too crowded..

[Ibn]

Also, over time, you'll notice that smaller fishes, such as ember tetras, disappearing on you.

[elmike]

I would go for 3 standard angels, not discus or altums, cos' when they say bye-bye, you'll feel less pain - that is, financially.

[benny]

Angels too. Discus will get stunted more easily with there is not enough space to grow.

Cheers,

[elmike]

Wow, looking at your “possible tankmates” I would say you have big ambitions for a small tank. That was my mistake when I got my 4 feet, which I thought was real BIG.

I don’t think tiger barbs, being the feisty and aggressive fish that they are, would go well with angels. Even if you’re lucky enough to find those with more civilized temperament, which are oddballs, I doubt angel will like sharing space with them.

And fighting fish in an ocean? Don’t they need to periodically surface for supplemental air? I thought they should only be kept in cookie jars.

I would settle for no more than 3 angels, and maybe one or two dwarf apisto, and yes some corydoras.

My advice is to err on the less side. That way, you will get to keep adding suitable fish as you become wiser and less impulsive as a fishkeeper. Better than to later find yourself wishing for fishes to die so you could buy new fish.

[Justikanz]

Seems like I have to hold on to the thought longer... Till the smaller fishies die on me... Or I drop the Congos or Tigers...

[ccs]

If Discus, would only Heckels be good for planted tanks?

Let me know...

As both Discus and Altum Angels are not cheap, I just want to ask around more...

Thanks!

Green or brown discus would also do for planted tank not only Heckel.

As for not cheap I have bought Heckels at $30 a pcs

[celticfish]

thomas,
as benny says they may face being stunted while you try to balance their feeding.
if you try to pump them up you can water quality and algae issues.
what i'm doing now is growing the adolescents in a bare tank.
and when my home reno is over to transfer them into a planted setup.
otherwise i'd advise getting adults for your planted setup.

[bossteck]

What is the intended GH and KH for your tank?

[Justikanz]

No idea about that... In fact, I am not sure whether I want those fish now... It is like a want also can, don't want also can thing...

I mean I love those fish but they grow big and can attack the tetras...

My 4ft tank now has 20+ rummynoses, 30+ harlequins, 20+ white clouds, 20+ small cories, ~20 cardinals, ~10 boraras, ~7 black skirts and an assortment of other smallish medium sized fish... I cannot imagine how chaotic it will be like if I add discus or angels now...

[troyz]

HI , Discus are alright , male angelfish are more aggressive..now my angelfish are chasing my smaller fish now ...

[bossteck]

Hi,

Woah... with all that life stock in your 4x2 now, I think you just about have enough
But if you decide to go ahead and add a few angels, you could always pass a them to me later on when they get too big/aggressive for your other darlings. keke

[Justikanz]

LOL! I forgot to mention my ~50 ember tetras! Haha...

[juggler]

If keeping with wide variety of fish, then some cheap (~50c) altum-looking angel would do for me.
Some discus are shy and may be frightened into hiding with so many type of fish around.

But if you have not tried discus, can give it a go. I started with affordable ones and admire their gracefulness.

[Justikanz]

I had tried discus and loved them... In fact, I had them laying eggs... But I also love angels...

But, I think I will go for some blue coloured discus as I still think they are less fierce...

[illumnae]

i'd go with discus...more regal and a 4x2x2 is more than enough space for 10-15 adult discus depending on how heavily planted your tank is and how many other tankmates there are. i'd suggest dropping the tiger barbs though, both for discus and angelfish as the barbs are notorious nippers and rather aggressive.

alot of people like to advise against discus in planted tanks, but as long as your interest is in the aesthetics and not in seeking to breed or achieve perfection, discus are one of the best, if not the best, fish to keep in a mid to large size planted tank. discus might grow slower and maybe not achieve maximum size in a planted, but it doesn't matter really does it? besides you can always buy adults off the bat and silence the critics lol =)

for the best look in a planted tank, try to get wilds like heckels/greens/browns or if not get patterned types like turquoise/cobalt/tiger...or if you like solids get some blue diamonds =) i think those would look most natural in a planted tank

[AngelAddick]

Bro Justikanz,
I think your tank overload liao. If you want to get rid of your rummynoses, let me know yah?

I am re-starting my tanks, and from my nick you would know which way I voted. I love both angels and discus and have bred both. But preference is for angels, and very few pieces in a big tank so that they can grow.

Next project will involve angels in a tank of 20 pieces of rummy noses...

Cheers,
Phil

[yappeyap]

Yup just as all mentioned as above.

In additional you need to consider the following as well:

Food - What if you decided to feed the Heckels food like beef heart or other high protein food, wouldn't that causes the water to turn real bad and smelly. Discus are generally better kept in bare tank for ease of water change and fed with high protein & color enhance food to get them into size. Though it might not be the same for Heckels, remember those from Gan, whom are being "taught" to fed on dry pellets... . Amazing wild discus on pellets

Price - If i'm not wrong those really good one from Gan (Heckels) will cost you as much as $90++. Where else the price of Altum angel might not be as high, though it still very dependen on yearly production and the market needs.

Btw if you are interested, why not wait for a few months more, some where in August, the Altum angel season will kick off.

I and a few others in the forum are considering bulk purchase, if you are interested, let's team up and ask for better price

(i'hv waited since January, please let me have them this season)!

[illumnae]

if you buy discus adult size you won't need to feed them beefheart, just frozen bloodworms as treats and tetrabits/dried food as staples...that way water won't be fouled